EU enlargement in the Western Balkans

fabricating reforms in public administration

Abstract

There are many reasons for an enhanced the EU engagement with the countries of the Western Balkans, such as geostrategic investment and greater stability in Europe, a strong and united Europe, enhanced prosperity and social well-being, and so on. Therefore, an extremely ambitious perspective is for a part of the Western Balkan countries, namely Montenegro and Serbia, to become members of the European Union by 2025. This optimistic view in order to be achieved will need strong political will, involvement and the implementation of well sustained reforms in both countries. These countries must, above all, give utmost priority to the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights, and conduct EU-oriented reforms and projects. Unfortunately, the country reports emphasise the practices of fabricating reforms instead of implementing them, poor performance on specific indicators and deep problems of corruption and maladministration. Thus, this article aims to highlight practices that impair the enlargement objectives, the shortcomings faced in the public administration reform, and answer questions such as: “How should these countries cope with challenges?; How could they steer the reform design and implementation?”